SERIOUS concern over plans to open a new coal mine on moorland above Burnley and Bacup were voiced, as county council bosses met environmentalists on a site visit at Sharneyford.

Members of Lancashire county's development control sub-committee, led by its chairman and Burnley county councillor Terry Burns, viewed the area where Wakefield company Corbex hopes to remove 500,000 tons of coal and clay in a 67-acre trench mine at Heald Moor.

More than 20 objectors from Burnley, Todmorden and Bacup were there to explain their misgivings and fire questions at county chiefs and representatives from the company aiming to carry out the two-year programme.

Leading anti-mine campaigner Coun Tony Harrison, of Cliviger, said fears over the long-term damage to the moorland and waterways were expressed prior to the committee deciding whether or not to give the go-ahead to the mine scheme next month. Objectors, including the Civic Trust, Cliviger Parish Council, local residents and Burnley MP Peter Pike, have listed a dozen reasons why the work should not go ahead.

They include fears that work will pollute spring water supplies to homes, contaminate rivers, harm wildlife, damage the landscape, cause dust and noise pollution and leave a permanent scar on the landscape.

Coun Harrison said he was satisfied yesterday's meeting had been useful. "I believe we have a very good case, but you can never guarantee it will be successful.

"At the end of the day, there is no assurance that major work carried out now will not have a long-term harmful affect."

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